What we do

Put simply, we offer home-baked birthday cakes for children who might otherwise not receive one due to their circumstances. The cakes are provided completely free of charge, with ingredients purchased by our volunteers who also bake, decorate and deliver the cakes. Circumstances that might qualify range from experiences of poverty, disabilities, mental health and many more. 

We take requests for the child's favourite theme or flavour and will try to accommodate that wherever we can. Our volunteers are keen home bakers who enjoy making and decorating cakes. We're always up for a challenge!

​Families are generally referred to us by one of our partner organisations, which are other community groups, support services, schools and charities in the local area. However, we do accept self referrals directly from families who feel they are struggling and eligible.

But what difference does a cake make?

Everybody likes cake, but birthday cakes are something special. There are many reasons why a single cake can make a big difference:
  • Having a cake made especially for you can make you feel special and appreciated.
  • You have something to share with your family and friends, so they come over for a party.
  • Bakers and families work together to a common goal by getting in touch, checking for preferences, food allergies and arranging a hand-over.
  • It can be a small relief for struggling parents to be able to rely on someone else to provide something the birthday celebration, and a fun surprise for everyone when it arrives. 
  • Our service allows the charities and support services we work with to offer their clients something fun as well as functional, the sort of thing tight budgets unfortunately usually struggle to allow. 
In other words, there are many ways to make a difference – one cake at a time.

Where did Free Cakes For Kids come from?

The first Free Cakes for Kids group in the UK was founded in 2008 in Oxford, having been inspired by a similar project in the U.S.

Over the years the network of Free Cakes for Kids groups has grown and spread throughout the U.K. They are now active in more than 40 communities across the UK. This particular group was founded in October 2011 and serves our community in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
 
While every group is responsible for its own activities, we all operate under the same name. The network supports local coordinators through mentoring and meetings, ensuring our key values of community spirit, safety and confidentiality.

The Free Cakes for Kids UK network does not have funding of its own and relies 100% on the time and energy of volunteers.